Welcome to this week's issue of Unpacking Meaning. If you received this from a friend and enjoy it, subscribe here. "Is AI going to replace copywriters?" It’s the question almost every host has been asking me lately. It's a fair question, but I think it misses the bigger picture of what's actually happening. I just saw something Steven Bartlett (The diary of a CEO) posted: The new "moats" are attention, community, and genuine connection – the things AI can't replicate. Fast tools create a premium on deep workWhen AI can produce content in seconds that used to take us days, the value has shifted. It's no longer about who can produce more content faster, but about who can create deeper, more meaningful connections. When everyone has access to the same AI tools, the playing field changes entirely. What I'm seeing is that: When tools get faster, depth becomes the differentiator. The more AI accelerates production, the more valuable slow, deliberate human connection becomes. My recent podcast tour has inadvertently become a case study in this idea. I've noticed a few approaches most hosts take that perfectly show what I’m talking about:
You can feel the difference in your gut. The best conversations aren't just well-researched—they're driven by genuine interest and passion for the subject matter. These people are nerds obsessed with their craft, and I LOVE it. When a host leans in with a follow-up question that builds on something I've said rather than jumping to their next scripted question, it hits different. How this applies to your SaaS messaging strategyIf you're running a B2B SaaS company, this shift has huge implications for how you communicate with your market. The companies building the strongest competitive advantages right now are focusing on three elements: 1. Customer understanding that goes beyond biosIt's no longer enough to know basic information about your customers. The companies winning right now have an almost anthropological understanding of their users. They know the language their customers use in private Slack channels, the frustrations they vent about on LinkedIn, and the career aspirations that drive their purchasing decisions. 2. Building communities around your productThe strongest SaaS companies aren't just building features—they're creating ecosystems where users connect with each other. This creates a competitive advantage that even the best AI-generated content can't penetrate. 3. Creating experiences that feel unmistakably humanFrom onboarding flows to support interactions, every touchpoint feels deliberately crafted by humans for humans. These experiences can't be easily copied or mass-produced. What I'm actually implementing with clientsThis shift is fundamentally changing how I work with clients. Here's what I'm putting into practice: Systematic research processes that capture real customer languageI'm helping clients build systematic approaches to customer research that go far beyond surveys. We're creating processes that capture insights from sales calls, support tickets, community discussions, and competitor analysis – then feeding those insights directly into their messaging strategy. Unlike many copywriters who fear AI will replace them, I'm planning on helping clients leverage these tools. The difference is in how we use them: not to replace strategic thinking, but to deepen it, at scale. This means building custom AI workflows that help extract patterns from customer interviews, identify language patterns in testimonials, and generate hypothesis testing frameworks. Practical frameworks clients can use without meI'm giving clients specific tools they can use independently. As one client recently told me after a messaging strategy presentation: "I just want to commend you. Throughout my career, I've seen these frameworks and techniques used in different ways. But the way that you've made this amalgamation of all the best of it is very impressive. It's intuitive and very research-backed, which I love. And I love that you gave frameworks from the get-go to empower the team to be able to take this and run with it." By teaching clients how to think about messaging strategy (not just delivering finished copy), I'm helping them build an internal capability that becomes a lasting advantage. I genuinely want my clients to freaking WIN. Your next step: review where you're sacrificing quality for speedHere's what I recommend: Take an honest inventory of your customer touchpoints and evaluate them through this lens:
The businesses that thrive in this new environment won't be the ones who use AI to create more content—they'll be the ones who use AI to free up resources for deeper human connection. P.S. I'm getting a lot of questions and interest on podcasts around my research optimization system and using AI in my processes. Would you be interested in something more "packaged" that you can learn and use yourself? Just hit reply with a YES. DISCOVERYStrong fundamentals or individuality? (How about both??)Just watched a very interesting video comparing the Chinese and American education systems and what that means for how we use AI: "The story of the next decade won't be AI rendering humans obsolete but a small group of people who know how to use it being supercharged." This mirrors what's happening in messaging and copywriting right now. Those who can harness AI while maintaining their unique human perspective aren't being replaced—they're becoming unstoppable. The question isn't if AI will take your job, but if you'll be among those using it to work magic while everyone else falls behind. Sound familiar? RESONANCE"It is your job to comport yourself humbly and to consistently hew to your moral ideals. Cling to what you know in your heart is best. Then, if you are steadfast, the very people who ridiculed you will come to admire you" Epictetus, The Art of Living Have a great weekend! Cheers, Chris 🙌🏻 Let’s be friends (unless you’re a stalker) When you're ready, here's a few ways I can help |
I'm the founder and chief conversion copywriter at Conversion Alchemy. We help 7 and 8 figure SaaS and Ecommerce businesses convert more website visitors into happy customers. Conversion Alchemy Journal is the collection of my thoughts, ideas, and ramblings on anything copy, UX, conversion rate optimization, psychology, decision-making, human behavior, and -often times - just bizarre, geeky stuff. Grab a cup of coffee and join me. Once a week, every Friday.
Read online Welcome to this week's issue of Unpacking Meaning. If you received this from a friend and enjoy it, subscribe here. Why most SaaS messaging never takes off I've been reading Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive series lately (we're talking 1000+ page epic fantasy books), and I'm completely hooked. I'm not typically a fiction reader, but after hearing him on Tim Ferriss's podcast, something clicked. During the interview, Sanderson shared an idea that immediately resonated with my...
Read online Welcome to this week's issue of Unpacking Meaning. If you received this from a friend and enjoy it, subscribe here. Why prospects aren't connecting with your solution I've been deep in the weeds with a client this week working on their value propositions—and noticed something fascinating that many businesses get wrong when crafting their messaging. Our value prop canvas, going from problem to copy When mapping out the conversation happening in their customers' heads, there's a...
Read online Welcome to this week's issue of Unpacking Meaning. If you received this from a friend and enjoy it, subscribe here. Are you working on an art project or building a commodity? A lot of SaaS companies struggle when it comes to finding that perfect balance between showcasing their unique vision and connecting with what the market actually needs. It’s something I see all the time with the founders and marketing teams I work with. There's this constant tension between two approaches to...